FEATURE
STRENGTHENING SECURITY IN MALI WITH WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION MANAGEMENT by Marlène Dupouy [ United Nations Mine Action Service ]
The UNMAS contribution to weapons and ammunition management (WAM) has been innovative and holistic by combining practical, safe storage solutions and tailor-made, on-site facility management training, complemented by in-depth trainings. Lessons learned from working in Mali as well as input from other UNMAS WAM programs, including Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led to the development of a technical guide to improve standardization. More recently, the importance of WAM as a preventive measure against stockpile diversion has been further strengthened by Security Council resolution 2370. 2
Implementing Innovative Solutions
Figure 1. Map of Mali. All graphics courtesy of UNMAS Mali.
W
hen insurgent groups in Mali initiated a rebellion for independence in late 2011, the National Guard and the Malian Defense and Security Forces (MDSF) in Gao were at the forefront of hostilities, which included the pillaging of weapons from government stores. Concurrently, the demise of the Gaddafi regime in Libya triggered an influx of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) across the Sahel region and the return of fighters from Libya, making northern Mali their base. That challenge was quickly seized upon by jihadists and opportunists aiming to further destabilize Mali and enlarge their bases and activities throughout the Sahel region. Often referred to as the real weapons of mass destruction, SA/LW play a critical role in the perpetuation and the spread of armed conflicts. Cheap, durable, and easily concealed, SA/LW remain the primary weapons of inter-community tensions, armed insurrections, armed rebel activities, or terrorism. The illicit proliferation, accentuated by the porous nature of borders in the region, has had a devastating effect on development, governance, and the everyday life of communities. Since 2013, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has been mandated by Security Council resolution 2364 “to assist the Malian authorities with the removal and destruction of mines and other explosive devices and weapons and ammunition management.”1 The resolution also “calls upon the Malian authorities, with the assistance of MINUSMA ... and international partners, to address the issue of the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons.”1
Mali is a vast, landlocked country of more than 1.2 million sq km (nearly .5 million sq mi). The roads connecting the south and north are in a poor state of repair and are often targeted by armed terrorist groups in an effort to disrupt supply chains. Furthermore, the loss of state control in northern regions for years combined with the latest crisis has exacerbated the poor infrastructure situation. To respond to the priorities of the MDSF in such a complex operational context, UNMAS had to develop the most flexible, fit-forpurpose, and cost-effective solutions for weapons storage in remote areas. To reinforce the safety and security of government-owned SA/LW, UNMAS has proposed standardized solutions for the construction of temporary storage facilities. These armories consist of a 20 ft (6.1 m) container and offer a range of capacities from 100 to 220 weapons. Most include a separate compartment for small arms
Example of armory kit provided by UNMAS Mali Programme, 2015.
ISSUE 21.3 @ NOVEMBER 2017
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